Former Northern Ireland international Grant McCann has been sacked by Peterborough and football fans have been pretty well United in their reaction.

The 37-year-old made 185 appearances as a Peterborough player between 2010 and 2015. After a brief stint playing for Linfield, he returned to Posh as caretaker manager. He took interim control of the team twice before he was handed the manager's job on a permanent basis in May 2016.

Less than two years into his four year contract, however, McCann has been relieved of his duties, leaving many football fans less than impressed.

Peterborough have won only one of their last nine games in all competitions but, in another take on the statistics, they've lost only two of their last 12 League One outings. The club are 10th in the table, six points off the play-off spots and 11 clear of the relegation places.

In his first season in charge, McCann guided the club to an 11th placed finish in the table. He oversaw a total of 105 Posh matches, winning 42, drawing 28 and losing 35.

According to the Peterborough Telegraph, McCann collected 47.8% of the league points on offer during his tenure. And that places him 10th in the ranking of all-time most successful Posh managers.

After his dismissal was announced late on Sunday evening, social media voiced its frustrations.

Fuming doesn’t cut it. But a club legend, a down to earth guy that gave it his all. A father and husband has just lost his job. I’m absolutely gutted for @grantmccann11 and wish him and @KellyMcCann81 all the best.

Genuinely gutted for @grantmccann11 I hoped he would have been given more time. Young managers like young players need time and the opportunity to make mistakes so they can learn and improve. I hope we move quickly to appoint someone and get back on the play off trail #pufc

Twitter has spoken and Grant McCann has been sacked. We'll struggle to find a man who cares as much or works as hard as he did. He had a connection with our club and (most of) our fans very few can dream of. BTW Posh have lost 2 in 12 in League One. #pufc

There's been some crazy sackings in recent years, but surely this one takes the biscuit... @grantmccann11 is a fantastic manager... He worked so hard for the club...Peterborough's loss will be someone else's gain #pufchttps://t.co/GJohpCprBH

That view, of course, wasn't unanimous and there were some that agreed with the club's decision:

A real shame but results count and our recent form has been way off the mark and the chairman wants promotion. Be interesting to see who @DMAC102 wants to bring in?? All the best to @grantmccann11 who has been a great servant to the football club. Onwards.

As McCann's departure was announced on the club website, chairman Darragh MacAnthony said: “I love Grant, he is a legend of this football club and always will be but it has not quite happened in management for him here and it was the right time to part ways. I thank him for all his efforts and wish him and his family the very best in the future."

Director of Football Barry Fry added: “Grant has worked morning, afternoon and night on behalf of the football club. There is such a thin line between success and failure. There have been many decisions that have gone against us this season and we would certainly be in a better position in the league had they gone in our favour.

“His work ethic has been second to none and I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending him for any job at any other club. I would like to thank Grant for his magnificent service to Peterborough United Football Club.”